Pankaj Dheer, well known for his legendary roles as Karna in B.R. Chopra`s Mahabharat and as King Shiv Dutt in Chandrakanta, died at the age of 68 after a battle with cancer. Ashoke Pandit confirmed to PTI, "He died of cancer this morning." He had been in and out of the hospital in recent months. Pankaj Dheer is survived by his wife Anita Dheer and their son Nikitin, who is also an actor.